Inground Pool - Help Please

[MReeter]

bmac,had to build retaining walls also,I would leave at least 4' between pool and walls,closer 6'.A BX would be perfect for this project,the blocks we used were 90 lbs. each,our FEL was well worth its weight,also moved a lot of gravel to pour in the block cavities.The walls are about 4' at the highest point and have not moved an inch in 3 years,I recommend the heavier blocks,they are tougher the work with,a little higher priced,but will stay put for many,many years.

 

[MReeter]

Another shot..

 

[bmac]

MReeter,

That wall looks great. What did you lay your 1st course of block on? Do you know the dimensions of these blocks?

Thanks for your help

 

[Bill_in_MI]

bmac,
I had the same situation when we put our inground in several years ago. It had to be raised 2 to 2.5 feet due to ground water level. It worked out ok though because it made the pool deck level only a few steps down from the house slider doors. I then added a deck on two sides and just sloped the ground gradually the rest of the way around. It's too dark right now to take a pic, but I found one that gives a rough idea. I can take more if you want. We used planting beds to keep the grass a little way from the pool. Easier to keep it clean when the grass clippings start to fly. Oh...I did make use of my old Kubota B7100 to move the dirt around!

 

[micromike]

Here is a great site to brows. Lawnsite.com

http://lawnsite.com/index.php?s=

Many expert landscapers who can answer virtually any question. Nice pool and yard. I'm sure you're going to love it. I would!

Mike

 

[MReeter]

bmac,The blocks are approx. 18Wx12Dx8H,the first course was laid on a "footing" of chat,finely crushed stone about 1/4"-3/8" in size.The footing was dug about 20" wide by 6" deep,and filled with chat.The first course of blocks is laid below grade,this helps to keep the bottom from kicking out.

The blocks are tied together using 4" fiberglass pins,holes are pre-cast in the pour,also a cavity that is filled with chat.The pins and the crushed stone is what holds the blocks together and keeps them in place.The chat is what lets water drain through the blocks,so there is not pressure behind the wall.

This style block might a little over-kill for what your wanting to do,I've seen them used in walls that are 12' tall,and haven't budged. They are a lot of work to install and finish,but I only wanted to do this once.

I've seen walls with the natural colored blocks with red cap blocks,and visa/versa,very sharp.Good luck on your project,looks like a good job to break-in a BX on!!!

 

[bmac]

Bill,

Your landscaping is beautiful. Just to make sure I understand you, your planting bed surrounds the pool deck and from there you planted grass on a gentle slope? I.E., no retaining wall.

The slope on mine is such that I think I would have to put at least 1 or 2 courses of blocks around the planting bed to keep the soil / mulch from washing down the slope. That would sure be easier than building a 2-3 foot high retaining wall.

Thanks for the reply. I would love to see more pictures if you have the time.

 

[bmac]

Mike,

Thanks for the site reference and the kind words. I know the wife and kids will enjoy the pool. I would have rather had a tractor. Maybe next year.

 

[TAB]

I will look for some how to sheets at school to send you. I have usually put down about 6" of stone dust or crushed concrete as a footer below grade. This was compacted and made as level as possible. That takes a little work but with that solid level base everything else will be much faster and easier. If you don't go over 4' high you can do it in one lift. Over four feet you will want 2 or more lifts with 4' or so between drops. Keep the one around the pool at least 4' wide as you don't want a kid to horse around and fall over the side. Make sure water can get from behind the wall so it doesn't get too much pressure from behind. In gravely or sandy soil I have made the footing thicker in a couple places and had tile get the water from behind. In clay I have put a drain pipe behind the wall and drained it out the end or through an opening that we cut into the block.
Have fun with it and don't jump to soon, make sure you do what you want not just something to get it done. Of course you need the tractor, at least as much as your wife and kids needed the pool.

 

[bmac]

MReeter,

Well, those are some hefty blocks. From your description, I remember seeing a wall installed with this kind of block on one of the "Building Shows" (as my kids call them) - This Old House or something similar. Very nice. Sturdy.

I agree that my project (and my back) may not require that kind of product. But, like you, I don't want to have to come back later and repair a shifting wall.

Thanks for the reply.